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#1 ·
New Year...New Hobby

I have been known to take up a hobby or 37. At 42, on the cusp of 43, and well into the 'balding' years, I have decided that, in lieu of a midlife crisis, I would take up woodworking. Don't get me wrong, a new car and a 27 year old with huge, firm, hands would be wonderful; But I can't afford the 27 year old, and I am not into cars that much.

In the summer of 2009, I went to an arts festival in Des Moines. The gentleman, who won best of show, did so with some amazing etched clay bowls. I am not sure why those clay pots inspired me to take up wood working, or if they were the only inspiration, but shortly thereafter I found myself living in the thriving metropolis of Martelle Iowa. I had my first ever basement.

Without a lot of money to buy all that one needs to build furniture, I started with magazines. The first one was called, "Start Woodworking", from the editors of Fine WoodWorking. I read tips on tools, ideas for projects, stories about great woodworkers, and I began to formulate a plan. I would start with a workbench, the workbench on page 24. The editors of the magazine did a good job of designing a project with the beginner in mind. They even provided a DVD with instructions that were really helpful.

The bench took several months to complete, though the plans were designed so that one could complete it is a weekend. I would guess that I spent 5 hours of thinking about building the bench, for every hour of actual working on it. I thought about what I needed to complete each step, but I was always only focused on the next step. The first step was to buy the 2×4s, 4×4s, 3/8" threaded rod, and a miter saw. Not an electric miter saw, a cheap manual one. I could afford it, it would cut, and I didn't at all care about how long it would take to make each cut. I also discovered in the garage and old hack saw that I could use for cutting the threaded rod.

With the wood cut, I decided I wanted to sand my lumber. The next purchase was a small Black and Decker 'Mouse' sander, some 80, 120, 180 grit sandpaper, and a cool looking level that I didn't need but it was shiny and I was powerless to NOT buy it. The next few weeks found me sanding each piece a bit each day. Barely into my first project I was already getting addicted to the process. The feeling of the construction grade lumber in my hand, after it had been sanded, gave me the slightest glimpse into the beauty of working with wood. I thought about how it must be to run my fingers across a piece of glass smooth mahogany or birds eye maple.

The plans required that I route a 3/8 inch groove into the stretchers. Before I read this magazine I didn't even know what a router or a stretcher was. Each new term learned, each skill set explored, opened up the possibilities that developing woodworking skills offers. And each discovery brought the reality home that care needs to be taken to master each aspect of woodworking. So before I could move on to routing I needed to do a bit of research. This is how one turns a 2 day project into a 2 month quest.

I read reviews and comments. There are many good routers to choose from and I decided to go with the Bosch 2.25 hp router with both the plunge base and the fixed base. I bought 3 bits. A 2" Spiral Downcut CL 2BB and a straight 3/8" by Amana Tools, and a 3/8" Up Spiral bit by Freud. I have come to the conclusion that Freud and Amana Tools are the two best out there. Admittedly Amana makes 2 levels of router bits, and I can't speak to their low end line, but the high end bits have been a joy.

With the router in hand, I had all the tools required to build my workbench. Each step was approached with a sense of confusion and fear. The first time I used the router I was filled with trepidation and pizza, as it was after dinner when I gave it a try. I spent close to 40 minutes setting up a guide for my router. Pieces of 2×4 clamped with 2 24" and 2 36" Jet clamps on my make shift workbench, allowed me to position the router to route. I had read that it is best to take several small passes for safety. Since I was already a bit scared that the router would spin wildly out of control and drive itself into my spleen, leaving me bleeding and generally disappointed, I decided that small passes were a good idea.

It worked as advertised. My first 2 passes made a wonderful 3/8" grove in my wood. I was filled with pride and sure that I was well on my way to being one of the greatest woodworkers of the last 700 years. My second board didn't go as well. I had tightened the collet on the router, though apparently not enough and it had slid up slightly. This had produced a slight up ramp for the groove. My ego needed this set back and I retightened it and decided that I was the greatest woodworker in my basement at that moment. This was good enough for me.

The rest of the project required gluing 2 pieces of ¾ " ODF together to form the top, drilling some holes in the 4×4 legs, and attaching the 9" Jet vice. The only difficult part was installing the vice as it didn't come with instructions, but my own insecurity about getting it right, made me take it at a glacial pace. When I flipped the bench back over and put a piece of wood in the vice, I almost wept with joy.

At the end of the quest I learned several things. 1) When marking wood to be cut or drilled, avoid doing it while watching college football. My bench still bears the scars of several errant holes. 2) Drilling holes with a hand drill, so that they are straight, requires a bit of practice. 3) High quality drill bits are much easier to use than really old, worn out, dull, bits. This likely applies to all tools, the better the quality, the better the results. 4) Fostner bits are cool. 5) I love my workbench, with its shiny red Jet 9" vice. 6) The journey before me is perhaps the most exciting one I have undertaken in my lifetime.
 
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#1,714 ·
Good Day in the Shop

Hello LJ's,

Though my last attempt, at a half blind dovetail, was a miserable failure, I decided to try one with two tails today. This seemed like the next step in my education, so I took it. I am thrilled with how it turned out. So were my tools.

Good Day in the Shop - Extremely Average http://su.pr/5dW1YH

Brian
 
#1,715 ·
More half blind dovetails

Hello All,

I continued to practice half blind dovetails today. I really like cutting them, or more aptly, chiseling them out. I think half blinds are more fun than regular dovetails, though perhaps it is just the newness of them. I am sure whatever I learn next, will become my favorite. That is how woodworking seems to go for me.

http://su.pr/2lEgIO

Brian
 
#1,716 ·
If you want to make this easier, there are two things you may want to do. Find three paring 1/8" chisels that you can change. One of them grind the top of the chisel from the normal tapered sides to a 45 degree triangle or less, eliminating the flat sides and resharpen to straight across. This will greatly help you get into the corners. The other two chisels regrind to about 30 degree skew, one left and one right. Use a wet grinder if you can, at least use a slow wheel and keep the steel cool, otherwise you will have to reharden the steel.

Since you are using these for paring and not for mallet use you can put a 20 degree edge and use for cleaning up the hard to reach corners.

The chisels I customize are the most inexpensive that I can find, if I make a mistake, little is lost.

These will greatly help your efforts.
 
#1,717 ·
More Henry Wood

Hello All,

I have undertaken a new job, and it will take up much of my time, for the holidays. As some of you may know, I started blogging Jan 2, of 2010, and done so every day since then. I have posted links to most of the woodworking posts (which make up about 85% of my blog) here, and I try to focus the majority of my effort on woodworking. But over the next two months, I may have many days which are too full to allow for woodworking, and thus, a blog about my woodworking.

So I am starting my next Henry Wood novel or novella. I won't know the correct term, until I am finished. I feel badly that I won't be able to write as much about woodworking, but alas, that is the state of things in my life for the next two months. Writing fiction, is something I can do, while on break and such. Woodworking, not so much.

This is Chapter 1 of Henry Wood (Time and Again) the chapter is entitled, 'The Song'.

http://su.pr/7vqe4c

Sincerely,

Brian Meeks
 
#1,718 ·
"Writing fiction, is something I can do, while on break and such. Woodworking, not so much."

Then why do it here? Surely there is a much more appropriate site to post your fiction. This is a woodworking forum. I appreciate all of your posts that make an effort to stay on topic…the rest not so much.
 
#1,724 ·
Excellent Book indeed, Eric!!
When I Googled Eric Sloane, I was a little surprised to learn that he is chiefly remembered for his Painting. Not that he doesn't deserve it mind you, but he was the banner bearer for Early Americana, before Roy Underhill came along…
This book, and many others that he wrote, covered not only Tools and Wood-craft but also Early Weather Forecasting… an equally fascinating topic…
It is rather saddening to see how little notoriety he gained, and how his work is slowly vanishing. Very much like his subject matter, history is marching over and past it… and it's everyone's loss… :(
Thanks though, for trying to re-instill some interest in him!! I too, would recommend any of his books!!
 
#1,727 ·
A Moment of Woodworking

Hello All,

I didn't have to work today, so I had a some time for woodworking. I have missed being able to do it every day. So I continued work on my tiny drawer. In taking the photos for the post, I tried something new, and it worked. So I got better at woodworking and photography tonight. That is a pretty good day, in my humble opinion.

http://su.pr/26Vlxf

Brian
 
#1,728 ·
Special lighting for your tools to do a photo opp? Next thing your tools will DEMAND makeup and cosmetic surgery, so they can look good in front of camera.! Do they have an agent yet ?
LMAO.
PS (Woodworking has been my "therapy" for many years…..better than any pill, NO SIDE EFFECTS)
 
#1,736 ·
The drawer sides are done...again...

Hello All,

I cut the pins on the back piece, of my tiny drawer. When the drawer sides are assembled they pins are very snug. It is almost hard to take back apart. I am very pleased with how it has turned out thus far. Of cousre, a drawer isn't a drawer, until it has a bottom. It was the grooves ro the bottom which caused my undoing on the last attempt. It is all part of the journey, but the successes are more fun than the failures. :)

http://su.pr/1ZK9RE

Brian
 
#1,737 ·
hello Brian
you don´t have to have a template to cut the grove
you can use two blocks fastened to your fench on the routertable
to make a stoped grove , or if you want a new handtool ..LOL
use a plovplane like the little Veritas or you can use a little routerplane or big one
I wuold go for a little routerplane in this case

take care
Dennis
 
#1,740 ·
It Fits

Hello LJ's,

It has been a long time since I had a bunch of photos about woodworking. Tonight I did a much better job. The quest today, was to build a template to cut the groove for the drawer bottom, for the front and back. I love learning new things and my plan worked really well. When I assembeled the drawer, it fit together really snugly, and I was happy.

http://su.pr/1GEMKm

Brian
 
#1,745 ·
Henry Wood Ch 5

Hello All,

I think that this is my favorite chapter thus far. While I was working today, I sort of let the ideas rattle around in my noggin all day. When I finally got home and wrote them down, the little bits of ideas seemed to go really well together.

Henry Wood Chapter 5

http://su.pr/9YrbRX

Thanks,

Brian

p.s. I am going to start working on a matte board cutting/photograpy table on Tuesday. First step will be to go buy some wood for the legs, and Tuesday will be my first opportunity to get to the lumber yard. :)
 
#1,754 ·
Henry Wood: Time and Again Ch 7 Voices

Hello All,

I bought some wood for the legs on my next project. I was torn between writing about my ideas for a photography/matte board cutting/background holding, table, or doing another Henry Wood chapter. On the drive home from the lumber yard, the Henry Wood ideas were too strong to ignore, so I wrote another chapter. I think it is better than a post about buying 4×4's. Hopefully I will have a more interesting woodworking post tomorrow.

Brian

http://extremelyaverage.com/2010/12/henry-wood-time-and-again-ch-7-voices/
 
#1,759 ·
So little time...

Hello All,

I really miss spending hours upon hours in my shop, but alas, I am super busy these days. I do find a little bit of time to continue building the latest Henry Wood story. As many of you have pointed out, there are lots and lots of spelling errors. I always appreciate the help. I would also like to apologize for each chapter's lack of polish. I have little time, and find myself rushed to get the post up by 10:00. Tonight I failed in that regard, by almost 40 minutes. I apologize for this too.

http://extremelyaverage.com/2010/12/henry-wood-time-and-again-ch-10-first-impressions/

Brian
 
#1,766 ·
Ch 13, 14 and 15

Hello all,

I am really tired. I don't know how I forgot to let my friends on LJ know that I had put up Chapter 13, but it looks like I forgot 14 too. I have also written 15 tonight. I seem to have little time these days. But I have so much of the Henry Wood story banging around my head, I am still able to write. I hope you enjoy.

13: http://extremelyaverage.com/2010/12/henry-wood-time-and-again-ch-13-the-job/
14: http://extremelyaverage.com/2010/12/henry-wood-time-and-again-ch-14-faded-away/
15: http://extremelyaverage.com/2010/12/henry-wood-time-and-again-ch-15-the-courtesy/
Sorry for the blunder.

Sincerely,

Brian
 
#1,769 ·
#1,771 ·
hey slow down a bit and start making dust with a stick and some local sandpaper and a foldingknife
its hard time to follow you when you are running :)
oh boy I´m exhausted now from making all that coffee to six chapters in a row

one thing curios me where is yard 136 in DK…..LOL
thank´s for the breaks Brian…liked them
Dennis
 
#1,772 ·
Merry Christmas All

Hello All,

I hope everyone is enjoying the day. It was a pretty good year. I discovered two new loves, woodworking and writing. The encouragement from everyone at Lumberjocks has made all the difference. Teh last few weeks have been chaotic, and I have done a terrible job of posting here. For that I am sorry.

I haven't had any time for woodworking, as I have been working every day, but I have still been doing some writing, each night before I hit the sack. I think the last chapter I posted was 21, which must have been 9 days ago, as I have written 9 more since then, I hope you will enjoy them. Now I better get back to writing, so I will have something to post tonight.

http://ExtremelyAverage.com
 
#1,778 ·
Another Chapter

Hello All,

I didn't post last night, because I wrote a 'I have a terrible cold' adeled post about a goat. It was not at all about woodworking or Henry Wood, so I posted it and went to bed.

Today, I had hoped to do some woodworking, but I was still recovering. It was an off day from work, so I did bang out another 1100 words of Henry Wood. I hope you enjoy.

http://extremelyaverage.com/2010/12/henry-wood-time-and-again-ch-33-back-at-the-office/

Brian
 
#1,779 ·
A Great Year...Thanks

Hello Everyone,

On Jan 2 of this year, I started blogging. I posted on blogger and here. Because of the wonderful encouragement everyone gave me, I continued woodworking and blogging. Now I can cut dovetails by hand, and they look fair. I am able to make tiny boxes. I am also not afraid to try more and more difficult projects. I also descovered a second love. Of course, I mean that sexy babe writing.

I haven't been doing as much woodworking the last month, mostly because I picked up a lot of holiday hours, and just didn't have time to make sawdust and write. So I have been working on my 2nd novel, Henry Wood: Time and Again. There are 34 chapters up now, totally around 36,000 words. I only need 14,000 more to reach the 50K novel plateau, but I will likely write 30-40 more, as the story is a long ways from setteled. I hope, those who follow it, are enjoying the tale.

Tonight, I wrote a year in review piece, which is much like what I just wrote above, though with a bunch more silliness.

http://su.pr/1aca1y

Thanks Everyone,

Brian
 
#1,783 ·
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